The Medicine of Berry Season

As we step into August and the last of the Summer you will notice all of the berries and fruits starting to beautifully ripen —apples, pears, crab apples, blackberries, rose hips, elderberries.

This is a bountiful and abundant time of year.

As we begin to move into the harvest phase of the year and the Autumn season there is a magic in the air unlike any other time. A savouring of the last warmth and sunlight. A shedding and releasing that brings a lightness of being (if we allow it), and a sense of things coming to a close…

The wild berries bring their own kind of medicine that we don’t see through the rest of the year as herbalists.

With their fullness, ripening, and carrying the seeds of new life for the year ahead the energy of the berry is that of the Divine Feminine. A sign of abundance and sweetness.

They are the first stage of the shedding, death, and rebirth that we experience through the year…

In ancient cultures, berries were a symbol of fertility and abundance. In many societies, picking and eating berries to sustain oneself was a common practice. Berries were believed to have medicinal properties and were used in religious ceremonies.

Even the name ‘Berry’ captures the symbolic power of these fruits, representing nourishment, growth, and abundance.

The folklore surrounding berries is vast, and of course different depending on the berry and the tree or bush they come from.

Elder trees were said to be protected by the elder, which, and those cutting or laying hedges, would often not touch these plants in fear of the witch. But also because it was so valued for medicine.

Across Britain there was the belief that bringing hawthorn blossom into the house would lead to illness and death. Although they were used to decorate gardens and make headdresses and celebrate the Spring as the flower in May.

In folklore it is told that blackberries should not be picked after Old Michaelmas Day (11 October) as the devil (or a Púca) has made them unfit to eat, by stepping, spitting, or fouling on them. And that the first blackberries of the season should not be eaten, but gifted to the faries.

Sleeping with rosehips under your pillow is also thought to protect against bad dreams, and carry rosehips was thought to be lucky, bringing fertility and wealth.

Mythology views blackthorn with a dubious eye, casting it as a plant of ill omen, witches and doom. In Irish folklore, the Blackthorn is considered a special tree and is often referred to as the fairy tree. Children are told not to pick its flowers or break its branches for fear of fairy retaliation.

There is a magic and playfulness to gathering wild berries from the hedgerows that takes us back to childhood. And they are both delicious to eat as well as being full of many essential nutrients and micronutrients our bodies need to survive and stay healthy through the winter.

In fact Wild berries have been a valuable source of sustenance and medicinal remedies for centuries.

They are full of antioxidants and vitamins that build up our bodies strength and resistance both to the external elements of Winter, and inwardly in the form of our immunity.

Exploring the Medicinal and Health Properties of Wild Berries

Elderberries:

Elderberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help strengthen the immune system and protect against oxidative stress. They have been used for centuries to alleviate cold and flu symptoms, reduce inflammation, and support cardiovascular health. Elderberries are also known for their potential antiviral properties, aiding in the prevention and treatment of viral infections.

Bilberries:

Bilberries share a close resemblance to blueberries and are renowned for their vision-boosting properties. They contain high levels of anthocyanins which promote eye health, helping prevent conditions like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. These berries also possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, contributing to overall cardiovascular health and cognitive function.

Lingonberries:

Lingonberries are packed with vitamins C, E, and antioxidants that are key to maintaining a healthy immune system and fighting off free radicals. They have been shown to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections due to their content of proanthocyanidins. Lingonberries can also aid in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Sea Buckthorn Berries:

Sea buckthorn berries are a nutrient powerhouse, known for their high vitamin C content. The berries are rich in omega-3 and omega-7 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health and can support healthy skin. They also contain a wide array of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, beta-carotene, and potassium, contributing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Blackberries:

Blackberries are packed with dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and various antioxidants. These nutrients contribute to improved digestion, healthier skin, and enhanced cognitive function. Blackberries are also known for their potential anti-cancer properties due to their high anthocyanin content.

Rosehips:

Rosehips are relaxing and drunk before bed can help you sleep. Due to high levels of antioxidants, rosehips can also boost your immune system, aid weight loss, reduce joint pain, support healthy-looking skin whilst protecting against aging, and protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Sloe berries:

The astringent berries and bark have been used to treat diarrhoea, while the flowers have been used as a laxative. Sloes were also used as remedies for coughs and colds because of their astringency. The peeled bark boiled in water was a gypsy remedy for bronchitis. They also contain high concentrations of antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenols, which can help to prevent chronic diseases.

Hawthorne:

Whilst Hawthorn Berries are most notorious for their contribution to heart health, they are also a source of high amounts of powerful antioxidants t. They are especially high in oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) and it is this particular class of antioxidants that seem to be responsible for Hawthorn’s many health benefits. They enhance the antioxidant activity of vitamins A, C and E, improve circulation, strengthen capillaries, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, protect against atherosclerosis, are effective antioxidants for the brain and nerve tissue and enhance connective tissue health.

You can find out more about each of these berries, and other medicinal plants in the Plant Profiles category of the blog

Making sure to get the benefits of a diverse array of wild berries in this season offers an abundant supply of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will benefit your overall health.

From the immune-boosting properties of elderberries to the vision-protecting effects of bilberries, these fruits offer potent natural remedies and incorporating wild berries into your diet can provide a delicious way to support your wellbeing and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

xo Emily